Entire home

Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat

Waterfront holiday home with water park and Hot tub

Photo gallery for Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat

If the whales are out there, this chair on the deck is perfect to whale watch.
Crashing waves outside the front door.
You are welcomed by our Whale Watch Bear.
The spacious deck looks out to the ocean---great for whale watching.
Large craftsman home showcasing native redwood paneling.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View map
Mendocino, CA
  • Place, Russian Gulch State Park
  • Place, Agate Beach
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
    ‪7 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Lower Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Mid-level Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat

This Pacific Ocean retreat is ideal for those seeking peace, quiet, and spectacular sunsets.  The Whale Watch House is located in one of Mendocino’s best-kept and most-exclusive coastal neighborhoods just one mile north of the historic Mendocino Village .
 
This craftsman beauty features an open floor plan. Through the many large picture windows you will enjoy unparalleled views of the blue Pacific Ocean while your privacy is ensured by the surrounding grove of mature cypress trees.  There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, and biking just outside the front door.  The main entrance to Russian Gulch State Park and the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse are both within walking distance.
 

Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon glass of wine on the large deck and watch the seals, migrating whales, as well as an abundance of wildlife including black tail deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, foxes, brown pelicans and other sea birds.
 

Book your reservation now so you too can revitalize and relax to the soothing sound of waves crashing on the rocks below.  You will experience why first time visitors become repeat guests.
 

Keywords: House

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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
On ocean bluff. Must be supervised.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Small dogs only.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Turn off the heat.
If you have time start a load of towels.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
In addition to $50 pet fee-- there is additional $500 pet deposit, refundable
Covid 19 may require a booking to be cancelled. We must adhere to the Counties requirements. If so, guests will receive a full refund.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Mendocino

Located in Mendocino, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Kelley House Museum and Ford House Visitor Center and Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Sea Glass Museum and Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Mendocino, CA

What's nearby

  • Agate Beach - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Mendocino Art Center - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Caspar Headlands State Beach - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Point Cabrillo Lighthouse - 7 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Mendocino Headlands State Park - 9 min drive - 4.2 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 133 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rhody's Garden Café - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Goodlife Cafe & Bakery - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Brickery Pizza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little River Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Frankie's - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Whale Watch House: Oceanfront/Near Mendo Village/a Private Retreat located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park and within 3 miles (5 km) of Russian Gulch State Park and Agate Beach. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Caspar Headlands State Natural Reserve are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 172 out of 183 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 183 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 183 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 183 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 183 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Colleen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at Whale Watch House. The house has the most amazing ocean views and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our favorite place to stay on the Mendocino coast! 12/10
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Nick V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, quiet location

If you're looking to unwind, this is your spot. Comfortable, quiet, private, and close to town.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great ocean view!

Great location to all of the surrounding beaches and great ocean views from the house.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious home with killer views!

We stayed at Whale Watch for 5 days and wow! Great location between Mendocino and Fort Bragg with amazing views overlooking the ocean. Spacious rooms and a stocked kitchen. Comfortably fit our group of 6. Would definitely recommend this stay for anyone looking for a tranquil getaway to the coast.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leslie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whale Watch

This is a great property
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Weekend

We had a great stay at Whale Watch. We loved looking for whales from the deck and having our morning coffee and afternoon wine out there as well. It was a beautiful place to unwind after the holidays. Thank you for sharing your home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

korrie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place!

We absolutely loved the whale watch! The home was beautiful and well stocked with kitchen amenities! We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenda J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect views

This is a lovely house in a great location, between Fort Bragg and Mendocino. The house is a great setup with 2 areas to gather inside and the perfect deck to gather outside. I would love to spend days on that deck watching the surf…
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Patricia R., Florence, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

My daughter (Maine), her best friend (CA Bay Area) and I (Oregon) met in Mendocino for a 4 night vacation. The location is beautiful; the home is lovely; and we had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert C., Auburn

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!

I don’t think that we have ever spent more time simply staring at the ocean waves and enjoying the perfect weather and extraordinary views. We saw whales and seals nearly every day. The home was perfect for our family of four adults and two children. It was super easy to communicate with the owners; and they are great hosts!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cyndi h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whale watch is awesome!

The views are breathtaking! What a wonderful home for a getaway. Spacious, clean with lots of amenities. Kitchen was well stocked, tons of towels and an amazing amount of puzzles and books if that is what you like. Would definitely stay here again. The host was a delight and very kind. One of the best homes we've rented.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Never Disappoints

Great property in a great location. The ocean view cannot be beat. This is a very comfortable and accommodating home. Unfortunately, the cool and windy conditions this year kept us inside most of the time. However, the view is nearly as good as being outside on the deck.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Local Whale Watch Getaway

Our family was looking for a house not to far from home to whale watch and visit our favorite spots in both Mendocino and Ft. Bragg. The house was perfect for all of these things. It was comfortable durung a really windy storm. We got to see whales while drinking our morning coffee. Kitchen had everything. Great array of puzzles. It was a beautiful house and time away for all of us.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claudia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas In Fort Bragg

This was the absolute perfect house for our Family Christmas Celebration 2023. The home is in wonderful condition and the rooms are beautiful. The kitchen and window room accommodated cooking time with family time. The view is 5 star and the hot tub was a special treat. This was a Christmas for the books! Thank you to our Hosts, they made check in a breeze and were patient and kind. We will stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a beautiful home with a spectacular view! The home is well appointed, very clean, well kept, the kitchen has plenty of gadgets and appliances, and the furniture perfectly situated for maximum ocean viewing. The owners were easy to work with, they responded promptly, and the home directions were clear. We also liked the separate tv / family room. Our granddaughter (5) could play with her new friend there while we chatted with her mother. Fabulous home overall!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great coastal home!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Doug K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Nice!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable home with beautiful location right on the ocean—home has all the supplies you need for cooking, sleeping and games/books—good restaurants, nearby, and places to go walking— my family looks forward to staying here every year
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Terry T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful home, deck & ocean views. Nice kitchen, bedrooms, beds, 3 baths, big windows, hot tub. Noticed musty smell when we first walked in. Would have preferred mowing was done before arriving. Overall positive & enjoyable stay. Thanks!
3 Christian brothers enjoying God’s beautiful creation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lurene R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Place, Incredible Location, Will Come Again

This was a very special getaway with our family and our stay was 5 star!! It was perfect in every way.Hope to come again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Whale watch

Been there before, a few years back and they have updated many aspects of the house. Well done. Hosts we a pleasure to deal with!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carrie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views and peaceful area.

The views at Whale Watch are absolutely amazing. And it lives up to its name, we were able to see whales and sea lions. It was perfect for our family of 5 as a home base while we explored the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sunny E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning View!

Such a wonderful property, close to town with an amazing ocean view. We saw seals and whales, and enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the waves. Hosts were very easy to communicate with. It was the perfect place for our girlfriends getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views!

This property was perfect for our low key bachelorette weekend. We all fit comfortably. The ocean views are amazing! The deck was perfect to sit and relax and watch the waves come in. The heater worked great and we loved the additional heaters in the bathrooms. The community is also beautiful. We saw deer on the property and in the neighborhood every day. The property could use some updates (bed sets and bathrooms), but the furniture was nice and comfortable. I would definitely recommend this property and I hope to come back in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

About the host

Hosted by Harvey and Jackie Moranda 530-519-9383 (J) 530-514-2095 (H)

Host profile image
We are mostly retired now. Harvey is a rancher -- and these ranchers never completely retire. Jackie is a retired school teacher. We are finally getting to the place where we have more time to enjoy the coast and all it has to offer. Our children and grandchildren (Idaho and Arizona folks) love to get their 'ocean fix' over here at Whale Watch House. A special treat for them is to ride the Skunk Train and to hunt for treasures on the many beaches. But, for us, just being here is very special.

Why they chose this property

We are used to country living; that is, lots of privacy. When we first saw Whale Watch House nestled in among the many mature trees, we knew we had found our quiet, coastal retreat with all the privacy we enjoy. Every time we walk up those steps to the deck, come around the corner to the front door, and see that ocean out in front of us . . . . well, we know all over again that we made the right decision to make Whale Watch House our coastal home-away-from-home.

What makes this property unique


We are looking out for the safety of all our guests, so this home has been equipped with hand rails in all bathrooms and along the two sets of stairs inside. Automatic night lights on the inside stairs. Lower bedroom has a door for easy access from the small yard, so easy to bring suitcases in. Suitcase stands in all bedrooms.

Languages:

English